Trichotillomania and excoriation disorder are two disorders little known, but extremely insidious. There is currently no approved remedy for the treatment of these disorders (aside from cognitive behavioral therapy), but a new study from the University of Chicago Medicine has found that memantine, a drug commonly used to treat the symptoms of the disease of Alzheimer's disease, can effectively reduce symptoms.
The urge to tear everything away
La trichotillomania it is a disorder that affects people who cannot resist the urge to pull out their hair. People affected by excoriation disorderInstead, they continually scratch or rub their skin, causing damage and injury. Again, there may be a strong drive for people to engage in these behaviors, despite the negative consequences. The two conditions are similar because both can cause damage to the body and mental well-being, affecting daily life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one way to help people deal with these disorders, but it can be difficult to find therapists who are experienced in this field.
From observing the brain to identifying a remedy
Memantine was chosen based on previous findings that revealed disorganized areas of white matter in parts of the brain that control movement habits in individuals with both disorders. These results suggested the involvement of the neurotransmitter glutamate, one of the main theories of the neurobiology underpinning obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In the new study published in the latest issue ofAmerican Journal of Psychiatry (I link it here), 100 adults with trichotillomania or excoriation disorder were enrolled in a double-blind study. For eight weeks, some of them received memantine, another part a placebo. Researchers assessed patients every two weeks using several measures of self-reported and clinician-observed symptoms and behaviors.
The findings on trichotillomania and excoriation disorder
The study data showed that treatment with memantine was associated with significant improvements compared to placebo. After eight weeks, 60,5% of participants in the memantine group were “improved or very much improved”, compared to'8,3% in the placebo group.
Side effects of the drug memantine are usually mild and transient. The most common ones include headache, dizziness, constipation and confusion. All usually disappear over time and rarely require discontinuation of treatment. It is important to note that this medication is not yet approved for use against trichotillomania or excoriation disorder, so before starting any type of treatment, consult your doctor to discuss the potential risks and benefits of memantine (or of any other drug).
